Advocate Health Care to Close 47 Clinics in Illinois Within Walgreens, Including 11 in Chicago
Healthcare Giant to Focus on Virtual Care and Community-Based Services
Advocate Health Care, the largest healthcare system in Illinois, announced on Wednesday that it will close its 47 clinics within Walgreens locations in Illinois, including at least 11 in Chicago, on February 6.
According to a statement sent via email, “This allows us to focus on additional ways patients prefer to access care, whenever and wherever they need it, including expanded virtual care options that bring care to their own home, as well as convenient access to urgent care and community-based primary care.”
Impacted Clinics in Chicago
- 79 W. Monroe St. in the Loop
- 151 N. State St. in the Loop
- 400-410 N. Michigan Ave. in the “Magnificent Mile”
- 1601 N. Wells St. near the Gold Coast
- 3405 S. King Drive in Bronzeville
- 1554 E. 55th St. in Hyde Park
- 5625 N. Ridge Ave. in Edgewater
- 5600 W. Fullerton Ave. in Belmont Cragin
- 11 E. 75th St. in Chatham
- 7510 N. Western Ave. in West Ridge
- 1633 W. 95th St. in Beverly
Walgreens’ Plan to Replace Clinics
Walgreens announced earlier this month that it will close five locations in Chicago on the South and West sides, including one at 3405 S. King Drive. That location in Bronzeville has been open for decades.
A spokesperson for Walgreens said in a statement sent via email: “We are partnering very closely with Advocate to navigate this transition. Walgreens now offers convenient and affordable virtual healthcare visits in Illinois, through its online platform, Walgreens Virtual Healthcare.”
Walgreens’ Store Closures
Walgreens announced in October that by 2027, it will close 1,200 stores across the country. It will prioritize closing underperforming stores.
Advocate’s Plans for Expansion
Advocate said in its statement that the clinic closures are part of a broader shift in its operations.
This includes investments announced recently in the South, “where we are opening Neighborhood Care sites in convenient and familiar settings, such as churches and community centers.”
It is also expanding its ambulatory clinic, Imani Village, in Cottage Grove Heights, located at 901 E. 95th St., and adding more doctors and services to the site.
In December, Advocate announced its plans to build a hospital on the site of the former U.S. Steel South Works (in South Chicago) and add more clinics in Chicago, investing a total of $1 billion.
It is spending $300 million on the new 52-bed hospital that will be located on 23 acres at the former South Works site, which will be converted into a quantum computer campus worth billions of dollars.
Advocate has promised $700 million to expand primary care and ambulatory services. It will open 10 sites in the neighborhood in locations such as churches and community centers. The first one will open at the YMCA in Woodlawn early this year. Advocate expects to open three sites a year for the next few years.
FAQs
* Q: How many clinics will be closed?
A: 47 clinics in Illinois
* Q: How many of these clinics are in Chicago?
A: At least 11
* Q: What is the reason for the clinic closures?
A: To focus on virtual care and community-based services
* Q: What is Walgreens’ plan to replace the clinics?
A: Walgreens will offer virtual healthcare visits through its online platform
* Q: How many Walgreens stores are closing in Chicago?
A: 5
Conclusion
The closure of Advocate’s clinics in Walgreens locations in Illinois, including 11 in Chicago, marks a significant shift in the healthcare giant’s operations. As part of its broader plan to focus on virtual care and community-based services, Advocate aims to expand its presence in the South and open new clinics in familiar settings. Meanwhile, Walgreens is partnering with Advocate to offer virtual healthcare visits and will prioritize closing underperforming stores.